San Diego Writers and Editors Guild upcoming events

June 2026 Monthly Membership Presentation (22 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:30:00 GMT

DIALOGUE IS CHARACTER
with Corey Fayman
June 22, 2026

Dialogue is an important, and sometimes overlooked, technique for defining your characters, entertaining your reader, and advancing your plot. Don't settle for flat and boring exposition when you can use more lively and interesting conversations to get the job done. In this presentation, award-winning author Corey Lynn Fayman will discuss how he uses dialogue to entertain readers and create memorable characters.

Bio

“A powerful new voice on the crime-fiction scene” (ForeWord Reviews), Corey Lynn Fayman was born in La Jolla, CA in the same hospital where Raymond Chandler died. He holds a B.A. in English, with a specialization in creative writing and poetry from UCLA, and an M.A. in Educational Technology from San Diego State University. His creative career includes work as a musician, songwriter, sound designer, multimedia developer and college professor. He is the author of seven novels, including the San Diego Book Awards 2021 Geisel award winner Ballast Point Breakdown and the 2024 Shamus Award finalist Gillespie Field Groove.

June 24, 2026 Marketing Support Group Meeting (24 Jun 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Hybrid Publishing in 2026: How Authors Can Maintain Control, Maximize Royalties, and Scale Globally

This session is designed specifically for authors who are exploring hybrid publishing solutions and want clarity, transparency, and professional structure in today’s publishing landscape.

The presentation will cover:

1. The Modern Publishing Landscape

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing vs. Hybrid Publishing
Why hybrid publishing is becoming the preferred model
Ownership, rights, royalties, and control explained clearly

2. What Authors Actually Need (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

Editing (developmental, line, proofreading)
Professional formatting & design
ISBN registration & rights protection
Global distribution platforms
Audiobook and multi-format expansion
Marketing & visibility strategy

3. Hybrid Publishing Model Explained

What “done-for-you” publishing really means
How authors maintain full rights & royalties
Transparent pricing structures
What to avoid when choosing a publishing partner

4. Global Distribution & Author Branding

Amazon KDP & extended distribution
Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & international markets
Library distribution
Author profile positioning
Building long-term publishing infrastructure

5. Live Q&A Session

Bio:

Patrick Morgan is a publishing strategist specializing in hybrid publishing models and global book distribution. He has worked with authors across multiple genres and languages, helping them transform manuscripts into professionally published works distributed worldwide.

Patrick focuses on empowering authors through transparency, ownership retention, and long-term publishing strategy. His expertise includes editorial structuring, multi-platform distribution, audiobook expansion, and scalable author branding.

He regularly advises authors on maximizing royalties while maintaining creative control and intellectual property rights.

July 22, 2026 Marketing Support Group Meeting (22 Jul 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

What Working with a Publisher Really Looks Like: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Acorn Publishing
with Holly Kammier
July 22, 2026

Many writers dream of seeing their books in print but have little understanding of what happens between manuscript submission and publication. In this behind-the-scenes presentation, Holly Kammier, Co-founder and Publishing Director of Acorn Publishing, will walk attendees through the complete publishing journey at Acorn.

From the initial query and manuscript evaluation to editing, cover design, production, distribution, and marketing, Holly will provide an insider's look at what authors can expect when working with a publisher. She will also discuss what makes a manuscript stand out, what Acorn looks for when considering new projects, and how authors can best prepare for publication success.

Whether you're exploring publishing options or preparing to submit your manuscript, this session will provide valuable insight into the publishing process and what it truly means to partner with a publisher.

Bio

Holly Kammier is the co-founder and acquisitions editor of Acorn Publishing, the largest publishing imprint in San Diego and one of California’s leading hybrid publishers. Named 2025 Publisher of the Year by the San Diego Writers Festival and 2024 Chrysalis BREW Project Publisher of the Year, Acorn boasts a diverse catalogue of award-winning and bestselling titles across genres.

Holly is also the author of Kingston Court, Choosing Hope, and Lost Girl: A Shelby Day Novel which hit numerous best-seller lists. Her essay All-American Girl was honored by the International Memoir Writers Association and performed at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre. A UCLA honors graduate with a background in journalism, Holly has worked at KCAL Los Angeles and CNN Washington, D.C. She serves as Publishing Director for the San Diego Writers Festival and is a faculty member at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Holly lives in her hometown of San Diego with her husband-ish, Julian, her dog Darby, and her rotating door of young-adult children.

July 2026 Monthly Membership Presentation (27 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Creative Structure:
Writing Multiple Points of View and Dual Timeline With Lisa MontaNaro
July 27, 2026

How do you weave together multiple character voices and timelines without losing your reader—or yourself? In this presentation, author Lisa Montanaro draws on her experience writing her award-winning novel, Everything We Thought Was True—a dual-timeline family drama told through three distinct points of view—to explore the craft and creative decisions behind complex narrative structures. From character sketches and plotting techniques to writing out of order and trusting the process, this session offers practical, hard-won insight for writers at every stage. Whether you're navigating whose voice carries a scene, how to balance and alternate between past and present, or how to keep readers oriented and engaged, this one is for you. Come ready to think, discuss, and ask questions!

Lisa Montanaro is part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. Her unique background encompasses performer, teacher of the Deaf, lawyer, productivity consultant, writer coach, speaker, and author. Lisa’s debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, published by Red Adept Publishing, drew inspiration from her family history and examines the corrosive nature of secrets—those we keep from ourselves, from each other, and from society. It won first place for Best New Fiction/Debut in the American Writing Awards, first place for LGBTQ Fiction in the International Firebird Book Awards, received Honorable Mention for General Fiction in the Los Angeles Book Festival, and was a finalist for LGBTQ Fiction in the National Indie Excellence Awards. Lisa is also the author of the nonfiction book, The Ultimate Life Organizer, and contributed the chapter “The Brand Called You” in the anthology Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book. Lisa serves as webinar host for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. When not writing, Lisa enjoys cycling and hiking with her veterinarian husband, tending to her garden, and chasing after their rescue dog. Lisa has enjoyed living snow-free since 2012 in Northern California, where she’s made it her mission to sample the wines of the region.